HOUSTON, June 26 (UPI) -- A bases-loaded walk by Carlos Pena touched off Houston's four-run fourth inning Wednesday and the Astros held on to nip St. Louis 4-3.
The Houston bull pen allowed a lone hit over the final three innings to preserve the victory for starter Erik Bedard (3-3).
Lance Lynn (10-2) endured his first loss since May 7, suffering through a fourth inning in which the Astros batted around and scored four times on four hits.
Jose Altuve and Jason Castro singled to open the inning and Chris Carter drew a walk. Lynn then walked Pena on four pitches to force in the first run of the inning.
A fielder's choice grounder by J.D. Martinez delivered another run, after which singles by Brett Wallace and Brandon Barnes brought in the tying and go-ahead scores.
Bedard (3-3) gave up three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts for the victory. Jose Veras put two runners on in the ninth, but escaped with his 16th save.
St. Louis scored on a two-run homer by Yadier Molina in the first and a solo shot by Allen Craig in the fourth. It was the Cardinals' fourth loss in five games.
